At some point, “patience” turns into “paralysis.” That point may have arrived for a growing number of DBL franchises. With the calendar growing deeper into the offseason, and most teams having little to show for it, there’s an emerging question being asked by fans, agents, and even some within front offices: Is anyone actually trying to get better? So far, the answer, outside of a couple of teams, seems to be “not really.” The...
Another day passes in the offseason and another day of trades to grade. 🔁 Washington Senators & San Francisco Giants Washington Sends: 1995 SF 3rd Round Pick 1996 SF 3rd Round Pick San Francisco Sends: 1995 SF 4th Round Pick RP Jim Poole (ML) Grade: Washington: B+Grade: San Francisco: B+ Washington continues its methodical offseason of smart trades for need. While not the transformational reliever he's been after, Jim Poole is a...
As the offseason begins with little fanfare, there have been some trades to kick off the season for everyone. With everything from fourth-round pick swaps to fringe veteran shuffles, teams showed us where their priorities lie — and in some cases, what little patience they have left. Let’s walk through the deals and break down the winners, losers, and those still stuck in neutral. 📦 Trade 1: Washington Clears Room Washington Senators...
The Diamond Baseball League offseason is underway, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the transaction wire. So far, the league-wide trade market has been eerily quiet, outisde of the 19,000 deals that the Pittsburgh Pirates have made—fewer deals, fewer rumors, and a distinct lack of movement among the usual churn of contenders and retooling squads. Behind the silence is a simple but uncomfortable truth: the salary structure in the DBL...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just 23 days after hitting the grand slam that sent the Washington Senators to the League Championship Series, Mike Stanley is gone. The Senators officially dealt the 31-year-old catcher to the Boston Red Sox, along with the 1995 second-round pick acquired from St. Louis, in exchange for the 1995 fourth-round pick originally belonging to Orlando. It’s a trade that says what the Senators have been trying to say—quietly,...
A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team. CLEVELAND SPIDERS ACQUIRE CHRIS NABHOLZ AND BRIAN L. HUNTER FROM THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES FOR BERNARD GILKEY AND STERLING HITCHCOCKThe Cleveland Spiders’ starting rotation has no shortage of name recognition. From veterans like Bret Saberhagen and Masaki Saito to knuckleballer Tim Wakefield and comeback story Ron Robinson, Cleveland’s...
A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team. WASHINGTON SENATORS ACQUIRE RP TROY PERCIVAL FROM THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS FOR THE 1996 1ST ROUND PICK VIA TORONTOThe Washington Senators have been very clear about their interest in the elite reliever market all offseason, and with good reason. As they scour the market, who qualifies as an elite reliever? They want someone cost controlled...
A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team. PROPOSED TRADE: TORONTO BLUE JAYS TRADE 1B WILL CLARK TO THE SAN DIEGO PADRES FOR 2B ROBBY THOMPSON, 1B TROY NEEL, AND C MARK BAILEY The Toronto Blue Jays are an interesting team. Strapped for cash and flying very close to the sun with its payroll, barely missed the playoffs. They face a critical offseason of decisions, mainly whether to...
A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team. Colorado Rockies Acquire CL Scott Radinsky from Los Angeles Dodgers for a 1995 2nd-Round Pick The Rockies don’t need to overhaul their bullpen — but they do need to finish games with a little more certainty. Despite a playoff-caliber roster, Colorado’s middle relief has been shaky, and too many late leads have...
A series by your favorite esteemed writer Graham Wexler looking at one potential off-season trade per team. Montreal Expos Acquire RP Pedro Martinez and a 1997 4th round pick from San Francisco Giantsfor a 1995 3rd round pick The Montreal Expos don’t need a splash. They just need stability. Fresh off finishing with the second-best record in the league, the Expos are entering 1996 with a loaded roster. Their early exit from the playoffs was...